​Recently we were lucky to have the Freeport Fire Department stop by for a morning visit. We not only learned important fire safety skills (Stop-Drop-Roll! Stay low in smoke!) but also got to see the fireman in all of his gear, which is important when the air masks they wear can sometimes seem scary. We also got to go outside and explore the firetruck and the tools they use to fight the fire!

This week we took some time to reflect on the visit and write thank you notes to the fire department.

Writing takes many forms in Pre-K: we write in our journals, write with hands-on materials, make birthday cards, write thank you notes, sign our names, learn to write letters, and write words within our art. After a visit from the fire department, this was the perfect opportunity to practice (the lost art of) handwritten thank you notes.

When we write our thank you notes, we are learning so many things:

Creative Arts: Because we often use a variety of materials to make our thank you notes: paper, stickers, markers, crayons, ribbon, collage materials, and paint, writing thank you notes is a great way to let our creativity flow! We write words, draw pictures, and love to reflect our gratitude on paper!

Early Language and Literacy: Before starting our thank you notes, we work together to sound out the beginning sounds in the words we want to use in our notes. We decided we would write “Thank you”, “Fire”, and “Love” and built on our awareness of the sounds and rhythms of the words that make up our language. By writing our thanks to others, we also build an understanding that writing is a way of communicating and a wonderful way to express thankfulness.

Social Studies: Taking the time to say thank you is not only a chance to practice important social graces but also an opportunity to affirm our sense of place in the community. We are part of the same community as our fire department and are thankful they took the time out of their busy day to come visit with us.

Another reason I love writing thank you notes with children is because it’s a chance to reflect on their experiences. What did they like about the fire department’s visit? What was their favorite part? What words would best relay their gratitude for the time spent with others?

According to Jeffrey Froh, assistant professor of psychology at Hofstra University, teaching children to express gratitude may be crucial to the development of compassion, empathy, and even happiness. Writing thank you notes doesn’t have to be for just gifts received…Children can write notes in appreciation for a good time or a nice friendship or anything that makes them feel happy.

Want to try writing thank you notes with your children at home?! Here are some helpful tips for writing thank you notes with your children:

Set aside time for it so children aren’t rushed.

Gather resources. When my children were little we had a “Thank You Box” with paper, stickers, and special craft materials just for our thank you notes. Making it something special helped make writing fun for my boys. (We no longer have a thank you box but they now write their thank you notes without reminders from their Mom).

Don’t forget about envelopes, colorful pens, and stamps!

Remember: when you’re between the ages of 2-5, drawing is writing too! For a child who isn’t yet able to write, transcribing what she says gives you a chance to truly capture her feelings on the note.

I appreciate any opportunity to build character with my Pre-K students…Being able to work on our writing skills while expressing thankfulness and gratitude is a chance I love to share with them in the classroom!

Summer is coming to its inevitable close. The apple orchard down the road has put up its open sign and the harvest at the farmer’s market is bountiful. The leaves have yet to change color (plenty of time for that!) but there’s a feeling in the air of change and those of us who melt in the summer heat are looking forward to the crisp, cool winds of fall. Even the colors of the sunset are changing as the bright pinks and golds of summer become the soft browns and reds of autumn. As a child, back to school time was always my favorite time of year and I am looking forward to sharing that excitement with the children and families at Beansprouts. Just as the season is in transition, some of you may be transitioning too. Your child may have recently transitioned to a new classroom (with a new teacher, new expectations, and new routines) or perhaps your child has transitioned from a different school to their new classroom at Beansprouts. Maybe your child is attending school for the first time or maybe you have been attending all summer and now your child’s class is transitioning into the school year curriculum. No matter which transition your family fits in, one thing is certain: Transition takes time. As teachers, we think it’s really important to handle transitions with love and understanding. Recognizing that transitions are hard and understanding that anxiety is normal, I have pulled together some great tips on easing into the transition of fall and back to school:·Remember that every child is different. Some children walk into the classroom on the first day ready to play while others need a week or so to get settled. A child’s response to transition and separation depend largely on their age, temperament, and experience and we honor those differences with gentle transitions, plenty of time, and lots of understanding.·Establish a drop-off ritual. I have one parent who does a special handshake every morning and others who do “one more hug” as they head out the door. Some children like to “wave out the window,” others enjoy a few quiet moments with a special lovey, and some like to say bye to Mom and hold my hand for a bit before feeling ready for the day. Taking time to find what works to put your child on track for a great day is one of the best ways to help them start the day right.·Bring in something from home to keep in your child’s cubby! A family photo, a a small photo album, or a special blanket can help your child connect to you and your family while you’re apart. ·Feel free to call anytime during the day to see how your child’s is doing. When I dropped my oldest son off at Kindergarten (way too many years ago), he was sad and teary and I gave the school a quick call to make sure he had settled in nicely and was having a good day (which, by the way, he was).

The teachers at Beansprouts are preparing to welcome you and your family to a new school year! Our classrooms have been cleaned and organized. Our lesson plans have been approved and we are eager to welcome the new school year with fun activities and amazing learning opportunities. Whether you spent your summer with us at Beansprouts or took the summer off with your family, we welcome you to Beansprouts!

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